That’s what speed do: Startup Weekend showcases KC creativity and quickness
November 12, 2015 | Natalie Stezovsky
Business ideas can come from anywhere, at anytime.
Natalie Stezovsky
But few events are designed to accelerate a concept to an actual business in only 54 hours.
That acceleration — paired with a team of innovative problem solvers — is the essence of Kansas City Startup Weekend. Speed, teamwork and creativity take center stage, and the best idea is crowned a champion.
“Perhaps more valuable than prospective partnerships is the flexing of competitors’ creative muscles.” – Natalie Stezovsky
Like the Startup Weekends before it, 2015’s final KCSW aims to help innovators or aspiring entrepreneurs quickly build the foundation of a business. Competitors posit ideas, test them, gather feedback and then build a business — all in 54 hours. When time runs out, teams pitch their ideas to judges.
The weekend isn’t about the best-designed app. It’s about the validity of a business idea. Great minds come together to solve a problem and figure out where it’s going to fit in the marketplace. And along the way, entrepreneurs learn from business experts, their teammates and meet potential partners or investors.
Over the years, Startup Weekend has been no stranger to success. Little Hoots and Keyzio are both local and growing firms that were born out of Startup Weekend. Also, Google recently acquired Divshot, which spread its roots from Kansas City Startup Weekend, but is now located in Los Angeles.
But perhaps more valuable than prospective partnerships is the flexing of competitors’ creative muscles. Startup Weekend encourages economic and personal growth through hands-on learning. Participants are introduced to new and unforeseen challenges, forcing the development of new problem-solving skills. You may discover a hidden talent or skill that will serve you in other pursuits.
Startup Weekend is a showcase of the local talent — programmers, designers, accountants, writers and more — that supports and cultivates Kansas City’s future. Even though your idea may not materialize into a viable venture, the skills you develop and friends you make along the way are sure to endure.
Kansas City Startup Weekend is set for Nov. 13 to Nov. 15 and is hosted at the Sprint Accelerator. For more information, click here. Follow the excitement on Twitter on #KCSW.
Natalie Stezovsky is vice president at Influence & Co. and an organizer of Kansas City Startup Weekend. Follow her on Twitter at @nstezovsky.
Featured Business
2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Startups, investors on ‘red alert’ as Silicon Valley Bank collapse ripples into new tech downturn fears
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. Silicon Valley Bank collapsed in rapid fashion on Friday to become the second-largest bank…
Former C2FO manager creates AI data analyst to usher in a new way of making business decisions
Tyler Amundsen is set on building a future where every professional uses artificial intelligence to make better decisions, faster, he said. “With humans, AI and computers working together, we can achieve truly mind-blowing things, and we’re just at the beginning of it. … We’re at a point in the world where AI can tell whether…
HERImpact awards $50K: Prize money expected to help pop-up scale into its own space
Editor’s note: 1863 Ventures is an advertiser with Startland News, though this report was produced independently by the nonprofit newsroom. Tirza Design allows consumers to support cause-based brands and survivors of human trafficking, exploitation, and other forms of abuse, detailed Nikkie Affholter, noting her venture also meets the need of bringing dignified employment to women who’ve escaped…
Here’s how opening $100M in capital for entrepreneurs who need it most can boost the economy
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Alexander “Sandy” Kemper, founder and CEO of C2FO, a Kansas City-grown fintech company that provides businesses with flexible, on-demand access to working capital. C2FO is a financial supporter of Startland News. This piece originally was published here and details C2FO’s recent investment from…